The Price Miller, Arthur; Washburn, Stan (Artist) Andrew Hoyem and Arion Press (New),Performing Arts

Octavo, 10" by 7", 112 numbered pages plus 16 unnumbered pages for the illustrations (128 pages total). The type is Goudy Old Style, handset and in Monotype composition by Mackenzie & Harris. The illustrations were printed in duotone offset lithography. The paper is ivory Zerkall, mould-made in Germany. The binding, done in-house, is machine-sewn, in full yellow-brown cloth with an additional duotone illustration by Washburn inset on the front cover, and a paper spine label. The slipcase has yellow-brown cloth edges and yellow paper sides, printed in brown. Edition of 300 numbered copies, plus 26 lettered copies hors de commerce, signed by the playwright and the artist. When Hoyem and Ketcham visited Arthur Miller (1915-2005) in the modest Manhattan apartment he kept for writing, Hoyem, who ordinarily has difficulty recognizing which men are attractive to women, had no trouble understanding why Marilyn Monroe took a liking to Miller. He offered two plays, "The Price" and "Death of a Salesman", knowing that both were about to be revived and that we might benefit from the exposure. We picked the lesser-known "The Price" (1968). Of the new production that opened in November 1999, critic Vincent Canby wrote in the "New York Times" that it "is one of the great Miller works. It ranks alongside 'Death of a Salesman' and, in its sheer playwriting craft, it may even be the superior of that classic." The illustrations are reproduced from a series of drawings for paintings made by the artist Stan Washburn especially for this book. They depict a set for the play, following the directions of the playwright at the beginning of Act One, "The room is progressively seen." In eight pictures he scans the setting, an attic piled with stored furniture and fixtures. The title of the play refers less to the dollar amount finally agreed upon for the family furniture than to the price we all pay for living. Sounds grim, but this may be Miller's funniest play. This was the third entry in our drama series. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.